After this brief account of his subjects, the Author leaves them to their fate, not presuming to make any remarks upon the kinds of versification he has chosen, or the merit of the execution; he has indeed brought forward the favourable opinion of his friends, and for that he earnestly hopes his motives will be rightly understood; it was a step of which he felt the advantage while he foresaw the danger; he was aware of the benefit, if his readers would consider him as one who puts on a defensive armour against hasty and determined severity; but he feels also the hazard, lest they should suppose be looks upon himself to be guarded by his friends and so secure in the defence, that he may defy the fair judgement of legal criticism: it will probably be said, ‘he has brought with him his testimonials to the bar of the public;’ and he must admit the truth of the remark: but he begs leave to observe in reply, that, of those who bear testimonials of any kind, the greater numbers feel apprehension, and not security; they are indeed so far from the enjoyment of victory or the exultation of triumph, that, with all they can do for themselves, with all their friends have done for them, they are, like him, in dread of examination and in fear of disappointment. Muston, Leicestershire, September 1807. [Illustration: text decoration] ADVERTISEMENT TO _THE READER_. In this Edition of his Poems, the Author has endeavoured to avail himself of such Remarks as have been communicated to him since the publication of his Work; and so far as the time allowed, he has sought to make the Improvements suggested: he is nevertheless conscious that much remains to be done, and must intreat the Indulgence of his Readers, if they still perceive many Places to which he ought to have directed his Attention; some which required Retrenchment; and not a few, which (with advantage to the Book) might have been altogether expunged. July 26, 1808. _CONTENTS._ PAGE _The Village_ 1 _Book I._ 3 _Book II._ 19 _The Parish Register_ 31 _Part I.--Baptisms_ 33 _Part II.--Marriages_ 69 _Part III.--Burials_ 95 _The Library_ 137 _The Newspaper_ 167 _The Birth of Flattery_ 191 _Reflections upon the Subject_-- } “Quid juvat errores, mersâ jam puppe, fateri? } 209 “Quid lacrymæ delicta juvant commissa secutæ?” }